Per Mertesacker is entrusted with the job of collecting fines from Arsenal players in breach of club discipline but the German may find himself going cap in hand to manager Arsene Wenger for his place in the team.

Fenerbahce waiting in the wings for Bacary Sagna as Arsenal stand firm over new deal

Arsenal are refusing to increase their offer to Bacary Sagna despite the defender closing in on a move to Fenerbahce.

The Turkish side are one of a number of clubs hoping to take advantage of the stall in negotiations between the Gunners and the 31-year-old, whose contract expires

at the end of the season.

Arsene Wenger is keen to keep Sagna and has sanctioned improved terms of a two-year deal worth

£75,000 a week with the option of a third season. Sagna, however, believes this represents his last chance to land a big contract and is understood to be holding out for £100,000 a week plus a healthy signing-on fee.

Fenerbahce are thought to have offered Sagna a contract on those terms, aided by a tax loophole in Turkey that severely reduces the amount high earners must pay, and are hopeful that despite a ban from next season's Champions League for match-fixing, Sagna will be tempted to Istanbul.

However, Galatasaray, Manchester City, Inter Milan and Paris St Germain are among those to indicate interest.

Sagna may opt to stay in a higher-profile league, especially given the calibre of clubs demanding his services, but regardless of the options available to him, Arsenal believe they have made him a competitive offer.

Wenger said Sagna must now decide on his future, hinting strongly the club have done all they are prepared to do to keep him. Sagna joined Arsenal from Auxerre in 2007 but is understood to be open to moving to another English club. He has been free to talk to foreign clubs since January but transfer regulations stipulate he cannot hold discussions with a team in the same country until the season is over.

City’s interest could be compromised by the potential punishments imposed by UEFA for breaching Financial Fair Play rules but they continue to fight those sanctions.